What's On In Amsterdam In February

Even during one of the coldests month of the year, there are plenty of awesome events happening in Amsterdam. In fact, February’s cultural calendar has more than its fair share of highlights including large-scale design fairs, food festivals and annual celebrations. Here is what you need to know while planning your trip.

THURSDAY 1 – SUNDAY 4 February

House Dance Forever

📅 Saturday 3 February
Every February, scores of dancers from around the world travel to Amsterdam to participate in an annual competition called House Dance Forever in Paradiso, a converted church which is now a live music and event venue. Three internationally renowned dancers judge the event and challenge participants during the finals stages of the competition. Tickets cost €17.
📍 Paradiso, Weteringschans 6-8, Amsterdam, +31 20 626 4521

📅 Friday 2 February to Sunday 4 February
During the first weekend of February, Amsterdam’s expansive Westergasfabriek cultural centre hosts an Italian food fair called Little Italy Taste & Travel. This delightful event is tailored around Italian culinary culture and includes a food market, tasting sessions and workshops. Tickets cost €15.
📍 Westergasfabriek, Pazzanistraat 33, Amsterdam, +31 20 586 0710

MONDAY 5 – SUNDAY 11

De Coolste Baan van Nederland

📅 Friday 19 January to Wednesday 28 January
Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium opens its 400 metre long ice rink to the public on January 19, and welcomes skaters until February 28. This massive ice rink regularly hosts professional athletic events including qualifying matches for the Winter Olympics. Tickets cost €12.50.
📍 Olympic Stadium Amsterdam, Olympisch Stadion 2, Amsterdam, +31 20 305 4400

Penselen in het Rijksmuseum

📅 Wednesday 20 September to Sunday 11 February
The Rijksmuseum exhibits work from three award-winning children’s book illustrators between September and February. Aside from celebrating each year’s winners, the exhibition also introduces children to the world of art through recognisable visual material. Tickets cost €17.50.
📍Rijksmuseum, Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam, +31 20 674 7000

MONDAY 12 – SUNDAY 18

Mono Japan

📅 Thursday 15 February to Monday 19 February

This annual fair celebrates and presents contemporary Japanese design. The event’s organisers encourage collaboration between Japanese and European designers and created the fair in order to introduce innovative products from Japan to a wider audience. Tickets cost €20.

📍Lloyd Hotel, Oostelijke Handelskade 34, Amsterdam, +31 20 561 3636

Homemakers’ Fair

📅 Saturday 17 February to Sunday 25 February
Amsterdam’s Homemakers’ Fair takes place every year inside the city’s massive RAI Conference Centre. The event presents modern products related to homemaking, including clothes, appliances and interior design items, and features an extensive programme of workshops and seminars to take part in. Tickets cost €15.95.
📍RAI Conference Center, Europaplein 2-22, Amsterdam, +31 20 549 1212

Chinese New Year

📅 Friday February 16
Although it isn’t an official holiday in the Netherlands, thousands of people celebrate Chinese New Year in Amsterdam and most public events take place around Nieuwemarkt, Zeedijk and Dam Square. Expect fireworks, traditional parades, street parties and lots of delicious food!
📍Various locations

MONDAY 19 – WEDNESDAY 28

Chocoa Festival

📅 Saturday February 24 to Sunday February 25
This weekend-long chocolate festival brings together dozens of people from every sector of the coco industry including farmers, suppliers and confectionery makers. The festival will celebrate its sixth year in 2018 and takes place inside Amsterdam’s palatial Beurs van Berlage. Tickets cost €14.50.
📍Beurs van Berlage, Damrak 243, Amsterdam, +31 20 530 4141

Nine Months Fair

📅 Wednesday February 21 to Sunday February 25
This baby-orientated trade event take place alongside the Homemaker’s Fair in Amsterdam from February 21 to 25. During these four days, expectant and potential parents can check out the latest baby care and pregnancy products. Tickets cost €19.50.
📍RAI Conference Center, Europaplein 2-22, Amsterdam, +31 20 549 1212

Sonic Acts Academy

📅 Friday February 23 to Sunday February 25
Sonic Acts is a multi-disciplinary, avant-garde festival that advocates critical art theory and practises. The festival’s programme always features a wide range of events, including concerts, lectures and performance pieces, which take place at various venues around Amsterdam. Tickets cost €65.
📍Various locations

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